Guy Pearce: Kevin Spacey was ‘handsy’ on set

Memento star Guy Pearce raised some eyebrows when talking to Australian late-night host Andrew Denton for a new TV interview.

The Aussie actor claimed that costar Kevin Spacey was “handsy” on the set of L.A. Confidential, the acclaimed 1997 film that also starred Russell Crowe and Kim Basinger.

When Denton mentioned Spacey’s name during the interview, Pearce responded, “Yeah, tough one to talk about at the moment.”

Pearce called Spacey an amazing and incredible actor but alluded to his inappropriate behaviour on set.

“Slightly difficult time with Kevin,” Pearce said. “Yeah, he’s a handsy guy.”

Prompting shock and nervous laughter from both the host and the live studio audience, Pearce concluded, “Thankfully I was 29 and not 14.”

Pearce’s comments seem to reference Rent actor Anthony Rapp’s sexual-assault allegations against Spacey last year. Rapp was 14 years old at the time when Spacey, who was 26, allegedly made a sexual advance. (That accusation prompted Spacey to come out as a gay man, the timing of which angered many.)

TMZ also reported on Tuesday that Spacey is now under investigation by the London Metropolitan Police, which is looking into three additional cases of sexual assault.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office has reviewed other allegations of misconduct against Spacey over the past several months.